Here is our Christmas Countdown Clock!
Day Ten activities
 If you have an Advent Wreath - here is a short reading and ceremony before lighting the two candles.
Micah Ch5 v2 to 5
A Promised Ruler From Bethlehem:
"But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
Therefore Israel will be abandoned until the time when she who is in labour gives birth and the rest of his brothers return to join the Israelites.
He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth.
And he will be their peace.
 I find the Old testament at Advent time so fascinating, here we see prophesy in action. Micah live over 700 years before Jesus was born. That is a long time for the people to wait for their Heavenly King. It is a long time to be able to foretell the birth of a Royal Child, but to specify the town of Bethlehem is quite amazing. I suppose over the years many people have asked why Bethlehem? For many it isn't exactly a place where God would have his Son to be born. I suppose most observers would have thought that the King would be born in Jerusalem as the most fitting place. But that isn't the way that God works. But Micah isn't just content to tell about the coming of the Child, but he also tells us of His mission to Shepherd the people, taking care of them, loving and nurturing them, but most of all bringing peace, peace to their Souls. I think that one thing about Micah that sticks out is that he must have been close to God, to be given this revelation of God's purposes 700 + years before the event. It makes you wonder what we could achieve if we were that close to God. Let us use this Advent season to find a closeness to God and to enjoy Him for ever.
Prayer:
Almighty God Our Father we are conscious of how close Micah was to You, and in the middle of our frenetic lifestyles we are so often cold and far away - as we immerse ourselves in the Advent story and the amazing way in which the whole story is interwoven and interdependent, give to us the eyes and mind of a child, seeing things for the first time and wanting to know why and how that we may find you anew and experience the peace of the Christ Child. Amen.
Find out more about the Little Town of Bethlehem - Visit Bible Places. Opens in a new window
Visit Bethlehem online! Opens in a new window
Something to think about and do today
Enjoy the Nativity story online, Click here - opens in a new window
'The Nativity Story':
One day about 2000 years ago, an Angel of the Lord called Gabriel told Mary she would have a very special baby that she should call Jesus. Mary married Joseph and he took her to Bethlehem so they could pay their taxes. Mary was expecting to have her baby very soon.
When Joseph and Mary arrived in Bethlehem there were no rooms left in the Inns because the town was very busy. They were worried because they had nowhere to sleep and Mary was tired because the journey had been long and dusty. She felt sore from riding on a donkey. But a kind innkeeper said they could shelter in the Inn manger, where animals like sheep were kept overnight to stop them from straying.
Mary knew the baby would be born soon, so she was very glad to be able to rest in the manger. The manger was a small room like a cellar at the bottom of the Inn. It was strewn with straw for the animals and the animals made friends with Mary and Joseph who settled down for the night as best they could. In the night Mary had her baby.
Joseph and Mary called the baby Jesus just like the angel told them they should. They put baby Jesus in some swaddling clothes so he was wrapped up warm and snug. Then they put some straw for a bed in a small wooden manger that animals fed from and put Jesus inside it.
A very bright great star shone over the manger and they were all covered in light. It was a very starry night and the local shepherds were looking after their sheep in the fields. The Angel of the Lord told them Jesus was born and that he would be a Saviour of men. So as soon as they heard about the birth of Jesus they hurried to see Mary and Joseph to wonder at Jesus.
Later 3 Kings from the east followed the star. The 3 kings were wise men and the great bright star helped them find their way to Jesus. The 3 kings were on their camels and made a very grand sight. The 3 kings took Jesus gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh. These were very valuable gifts in those days. Gold could be used to buy things and the frankincense and myrrh were used for medicine and perfume.
Jesus Christ was the Son of God and grew to be a very special man indeed. This story is the real story of why we celebrate Christmas today, to celebrate the coming of Jesus Christ who 33 years later died on the cross to save our souls from our sins. This celebration is named after Jesus or Christmas. We give presents to those we love just like the 3 wise men did and because Jesus was special we keep this as a special celebratory time of year every year.
Good King Wenceslas Budapest
 Today we are going to find out about Good King Wenceslas:
I am sure that you are all familiar with the Carol - "Good King Wenceslas"
"Good King Wenceslas looked out
On the feast of Stephen,
When the snow lay round about,
Deep and crisp and even."
Few had heard the true story behind the song, however. Few knew that there really was a 10th century Wenceslas, a Christian who ruled for about seven years in Bohemia (which is now part of the Czech Republic). Wenceslas was brought up by his Christian grandmother, Ludmila. She taught him that faith has to be put into action or it is a sham. Because of her teaching and example, Wenceslas learned true concern for the poor and suffering. That is the spirit John Mason Neale captured when he wrote his carol. The prince goes out on a cold night to feed a poor man who is gathering winter fuel. When a page complains of the cold and difficulty, Wenceslas urges him to follow in his tracks-- a mirror of the way we follow in the footsteps of Jesus.
"Mark my footsteps, my good page,
Tread thou in them boldly:
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."
Wenceslas was just thirteen when his father died in 921. Ludmila acted as regent for the young man, but Wenceslas' mother, Drahomira, wanted the throne herself. She killed Ludmila and controlled the country. Wenceslas did not wait to come of age, but seized the throne from his wicked mother. He banished her to a neighbouring country. During his short reign, Wenceslas encouraged German missionaries to preach in Bohemia. He urged his people to convert to Christianity, even (we regret to say) punishing those who held out. At the same time, he reformed his country's judicial system and courted peace with neighbouring nations, especially Germany. He was known for his charity to the poor.
It is said that Wenceslas would go barefoot to visit and encourage Christian Churches, often over rough terrain and inhospitable country. It is said that his faithful page, called Podivan, did follow in his masters footsteps as is suggested in the Carol. It seems that he would secretly cut wood in the Royal forests and give it to the poor. He was supposed beaten up by a forrester who did not recognise him.
There is a legend that once during a war, rather than lose so many men in the fighting that he offered to settle the battle in one to one combat. As he waited to begin, it is said than an angel appeared either side of him and a cross was above his head. At this his opponent dropped his sword and ran.
Wenceslas had a younger brother, Boleslaw, who was made in the same mould as Drahomira. Some Bohemian nobles resented the fact that Wenceslas submitted to neighbouring Germany. They urged Boleslaw to take action. Boleslaw plotted. When Wenceslas came to mass on this day, September 28, 929, his brother followed him to the church door. Recognizing that trouble was afoot, Wenceslas said, "Brother, you were a good subject to me yesterday." "And now I intend to be a better one!" shouted Boleslaw and struck his brother in the head with his sword.
 Wenceslas had strength enough to fling his brother to the ground, whereupon one of Boleslaw's men stabbed Wenceslas in the hand. Wenceslas sought refuge in the church but two other assassins struck him down at the door. Bohemians look at Wenceslas as a martyr and their foremost saint. His picture long appeared on their coins and his crown was a symbol of Czech independence. Although Pope Benedict XIV did not want the Bohemian ruler included in the Roman Missal, he was later added.
Thanks to Elizabeth, the daughter of James the 1st who married into the Royal family of Bohemia, we have these details about this Christian man. In 1973 the post office produced a set of stamps to tell his story. And of course we must not forget the famous Carol by J.M. Neale. Listen to the carol here.
This text will be replaced by the flash music player.
Listen to the Carol, that goes with our story about Wenceslas - Good King Wenceslas!"
Good King Wenceslas looked out
 On the feast of Stephen
When the snow lay round about
Deep and crisp and even
Brightly shone the moon that
night
Though the frost was cruel
When a poor man came in sight
Gath'ring winter fuel
"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder peasant, who is he?
Where and what his dwelling?"
"Sire, he lives a good league hence
Underneath the mountain
Right against the forest fence
By Saint Agnes' fountain."
Bring me pine logs hither
Thou and I will see him dine
When we bear him thither."
Page and monarch forth they went
Forth they went together
Through the rude wind's wild lament
And the bitter weather
 "Bring me flesh and bring me wine
"Sire, the night is darker now
And the wind blows stronger
Fails my heart, I know not how,
I can go no longer."
"Mark my footsteps, my good page
Tread thou in them boldly
Thou shalt find the winter's rage
Freeze thy blood less coldly."
In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow lay dinted
Heat was in the very sod
Which the Saint had printed
Therefore, Christian men, be sure
Wealth or rank possessing
Ye who now will bless the poor
Shall yourselves find blessing
Here is a picture of Good King Wenceslas and Servant to colour in - right click to download the picture and colour it in using your Paint Programme.
|
|
|
